KR20100054803A - Modular floating watercraft port assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A floating watercraft port system is provided which allows for a designer to develop a port assembly of a desired configuration. The system comprises an entry member, an extension member and a bulkhead. The entry member comprises a cradle having an entrance section; and the extension member has a cradle which extends the full length of the extension member and is open at opposite ends of the extension member. Bulkheads are positioned on the entry and/or extension members at desired positions to delineate the forward ends of watercraft receiving cradles.

Description

MODULAR FLOATING WATERCRAFT PORT ASSEMBLY

Cross Reference of Related Applications

This application describes a modular floating ship port assembly filed on August 16, 2007 and entitled Modular Floating Ship Assembly, filed US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 956,215, filed May 22, 2008. It claims the priority of the United States Patent Application No. 12 / 125,539 and the United States Patent Application No. 12 / 125,206, filed May 22, 2008 and titled Rollers for use on ship ports and lifts, all of which claim Is incorporated herein by reference.

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to floating docks or ports for small vessels for personal use, and more particularly to a modular port system for personal vessels.

There are many manufacturers that manufacture floating ship ports and lifts. However, the design of most existing obtainable ship ports / lifts limits the ability to customize the port / lift area of the marina. Owners of marinas or docks that include ports increasingly seek to give dock manufacturers the flexibility to allow the marinas or docks to easily assemble into other configurations. Thus, it is desirable to have a ship port / lift module that allows for greater customization in the design of the port / lift area of the marina.

In short, a floating vessel port system is provided that allows a designer to develop a port assembly in a desired arrangement.

The vessel port system includes an entry member, an extension member and a bulkhead.

The entry member includes a front end, a rear end, side surfaces, a bottom surface and an upper surface. The entry member defines a cradle having an entrance section in the upper surface of the entry member. An entrance roller is located behind the entry area. The entry member is designed such that the entry roller mounted behind the entry area is located at or just below the water surface when the port is suspended in water (and when the vessel is not accommodated on the entry member). In addition, the entry member may be provided with a marking surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the mark surface is located at the rear end of the entry member and is inclined downward and backward so that the mark surface is visible when the port is seen from the side and from the rear. The marking surfaces may be provided with indicia or visibility enhancers for identification. For example, the visibility enhancers may be light reflective elements or light emitting elements.

The extension member includes a front end, a rear end, side surfaces, a bottom surface and an upper surface. An extension craddle is formed in the upper surface of the extension member. The extension support of the extension member extends to the total length of the federal member, which is present at the front and rear ends of the extension member.

The entry member and the extension member may be connected in series or in parallel. In addition, any number of entry and extension members can be utilized in a single port system. Thus, one port system includes a single entry member; One entry member and one extension member coupled in a row; Two entry members coupled head-to-head; Pairs of entry and extension members coupled in a row, the pairs being coupled in parallel; Etc. may be included.

The partition wall is selectively positioned on the entry member and the extension members. The partition wall may be a full bulkhead or a small bulkhead. The full length partition wall is substantially sized to extend the width of the port member. This includes the top surface, the front surface, the back surface, the side surfaces and the bottom surface. The bottom surface is substantially complementary to the upper surface of the port such that the partition wall is placed on the upper surface of the port member. The rear surface of the partition wall defines a bow receiving area consisting of a pair of outwardly and downwardly inclined pairs connected by a generally U-shaped portion that is inclined downward. The bow receiving area is to be similar to the shape of the bow of the personal ship.

The small partition wall is designed to be easily removed from the port members. To facilitate this, the small partition wall is provided with posts extending from its bottom surface, and the port member includes post holes for receiving the pillars of the partition wall. The small partition wall includes a handle to which the rope can be fixed so that the small partition wall can be fixed to the port with a rope.

The present invention has the effect of providing a floating dock or port for small vessels for personal use, in particular modular port systems for personal vessels.

1 is a perspective view of a port entry member with rollers and connecting elements.
2 is a plan view of the port entry member.
3 is a side view of the port entry member.
4 is a rear view of the port entry member.
5 is a front view of the port entry member.
6 is a plan view of the port entry member with the rollers removed.
6A to 6D are cross-sectional views of the port entry member shown along the lines AA, BB, CC, and DD of FIG. 6, respectively, where the hatched regions are hollow or hollow regions.
7 is a bottom view of the port entry member.
8 is a bottom perspective view of the port entry member.
9 is a top perspective view of the port extension member.
10 is a bottom perspective view of the port extension member.
11 is a side view of the port extension member.
12 is a front view of the port extension member.
13 is a rear view of the port extension member.
Fig. 14 is a rear perspective view of the full length partition wall for use with the port members.
15 is a front perspective view of the full-length partition wall.
Fig. 16 is a side view of the full length partition wall.
It is a perspective view seen from the bottom side of the said full-length partition wall.
18A-18D are rear perspective, bottom, perspective and bottom views of an alternative design of the full length partition wall.
19 is a rear perspective view of a small partition wall for use with the port members.
20 is a front perspective view of the small partition wall.
21 is a rear perspective view of the small partition wall.
Fig. 22 is a side view of the small partition wall.
Fig. 23 is a bottom view of the small partition wall.
Fig. 24 is a perspective view seen from the bottom side of the small partition wall.
25A to 25C are respectively a perspective view, an upper perspective view and a side view of the bottom of an alternative design of the small partition wall.
26A-26B are top perspective and bottom views of a second alternative small partition wall having a size between the partition walls of FIGS. 18-23 and 24A-24C.
27A and 27B are perspective and side views, respectively, of an entry member and an extension member connected in series with each other and provided with a small partition wall in front of the entry member and a full-length partition wall in front of the extension member.
28A-28F illustrate some possible alternative arrangements of the port members and partition walls.
29A-29D are plan views of possible arrangements of the port members assembled or connected to dock members.
Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the several numbers in the drawings.

The following detailed description is intended to illustrate the present invention by way of example, and not to limit the present invention. This detailed description clearly enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, and describes various embodiments, applications, modifications and uses of the invention, and the invention It includes the best way to do this. In addition, it will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to that shown in the drawings or the arrangement of components as defined in the detailed description of manufacture and in the following detailed description. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and meaning used herein for the purpose of description are not to be regarded as limiting.

The personal vessel port system 10 (FIG. 26A) includes a port entry member 20, an extension member 220, a full length partition wall 300 and small partition walls 350, 350 ', 350 ". The small partition wall shown in 26a is a partition wall 350 ". The port members 20, 220 and the partition walls 300, 350, 350 ', 350 "can all be cast from plastic and are hollow (hollow). Thus, they can be suspended. As described, the port members 20, 220 can accommodate arbitrary partition walls, and the port members can also be connected to each other in a number of arrangements as shown in Figures 27A-27F, Examples thereof may be assembled into dock assemblies as described below and shown in Figures 28A-D, although the vessel port system 10 is described for use with personal watercraft (PWCs). However, the port system 10 can also be used for other vessels, including small boats.

The port entry member 20 is schematically shown in FIGS. 1 to 8. The port entry member 20 includes an upper surface 22, side walls 24, a front end wall 26, a rear end 28, and a bottom surface 30. The port entry member 20 may be cast to provide a higher freeboard so that the PWC anchored on the port member may be out of water. Although the port member 20 has a higher freeboard, the overall height of the port member (ie, the height of the sidewalls) is substantially the same as the height of the dock members to which the port member can be connected (FIG. 28a to 28d).

The upper surface 22 is a pedestal 32, upper deck surfaces 34 and a sloped entrance or ramp section 37 at the rear of the port entry. To qualify. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper deck surfaces 34 are slightly retracted below the outer sides of the pedestal 32. The deck surfaces 34 may be provided with traction enhancing pads 35 (FIG. 1) and the like. In addition, the deck surface may be provided with textured areas 35a (FIG. 6). The pads 35 extend along the central area of the deck 34 and are shown to have a length of about half the length of the pedestal 32. Of course, the pads 35 may be shorter or longer as needed. A plurality of channels 33 extend across the upper deck surfaces 34 in a direction generally diagonal to the side walls 24 of the port member 20.

The pedestal 32 is defined by a pair of walls 36 which are inclined downwardly and inwardly into the passage 38, the passage being defined by the entry area from the front end of the port entry member 20. Extends rearward toward the front end of 37). The inclination of the pedestal walls 36 generally corresponds to the dead rise of the hull of the ship. As described in US patent application Ser. No. 12/125206, filed May 22, 2008 and entitled “Roller for Use for Ship Ports and Lifts”, hereby incorporated by reference. In order to accommodate a larger number of ships, the inclination of the pedestal wall 36 corresponds to the median of the hull bottom draft angles of a conventional ship. As shown in the cross section of FIG. 6A, the bottom of the passage 38 is generally flat. Thus, the pedestal 32 is not inclined from front to back, but rather is generally horizontal.

A number of roller sockets 40 are formed in the pedestal walls 36. As shown, the roller sockets 40 are formed in pairs (ie two sockets arranged one for each of the pedestal walls 36 and aligned with respect to each other). The roller sockets 40 have been shown to be evenly spaced apart so that the foremost socket is spaced slightly rearward of the front wall 26 along the length of the pedestal 32. The roller sockets 40 accommodate the rollers 50. The roller sockets 40 are preferably molded in accordance with their description as defined in the above-mentioned US patent application Ser. No. 12/125206, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, the rollers 50 are preferably the rollers described in the aforementioned US patent application Ser. No. 12/125206, which is incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the rollers 50 have axles 56 and the sockets 40 have axle receiving channels 48. The mandrel receiving paths 48 of the socket and the mandrel 56 of the roller are sized to allow the rollers 50 to fit into the sockets 40. Thus, the roller can be easily removed from the socket as needed and without the use of tools. The ability to remove the rollers 50 from the sockets 44 enhances the ability to place (or relocate) the dock and port assemblies comprising the port members 20, 220. As shown in FIG. 4, the rollers 50 extend well on the pedestal wall 36. In fact, roughly half of the roller is on the pedestal walls 36.

The port member includes a pair of holes 51 (FIG. 2), which are formed in the pedestal wall 36 spaced slightly rearward from the foremost roller socket. The holes 51 are closed at their bottoms, whereby drainage ports 51a are provided. As shown in FIG. 6D, the holes 51 have a slightly curved wall such that the circumference of the holes 51 is reduced toward the bottom of the hole 51. Although the holes 51 have downwardly curved walls, the holes 51 can be generally cylindrical as desired. Moreover, the holes 51 can be in the shape of any polygon desired.

In addition, the port member 20 includes a pair of pillar holes 53 positioned slightly forward of the hole 51 and slightly behind the foremost roller socket 40. As shown in FIG. 6B, the pillar holes 53 have an upper section 53a and a lower section 53b. The lower region 53b has a tapering side wall 53c upwardly and inwardly. That is, the diameter of the lower region 53b is larger at the bottom of the port member 20 than at the connection point between the two pillar hole end surfaces 53a and 53b. The upper region 53a of the pillar hole has a larger diameter than the lower region 53b, and thus a shoulder 53d is formed at the connection point of the two pillar hole regions. The diameter of the pillar hole 53 in the shoulder 53d allows the pier post to pass through the hole 53 and as the level changes or at the port member 20 It is sized to allow the port member 20 to sink on the surface of the piers in response to a wave action. The pillar holes 53 are generally cylindrical in correspondence with the shapes of pillars that are commonly used. However, if desired, the pillar holes 53 allow the piers to pass through and accept the wave action or as the levels change in response to changes in the water depth at which the port assembly is located. The pillar holes 53 may be in different arrangements (ie, square, triangle, etc.) so long as they are sized and shaped to allow the port member to be varied vertically relative to the piers.

The entry area 37 is considerably wider at the rear of the port member 20. As can be seen, at the rear of the entry zone, the entry zone extends substantially across 80% of the width of the port member. The entry area is defined by a pair of rear surfaces 54 (FIG. 2) which slope inwardly and inwardly extending from the surface 57. The surface 57 is inclined downward, outward and rearward from the outer end of the ramp surface 54. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the downwardly and outwardly inclined surface 57 is visible when the port member is viewed from the side or rear. Thus, the surface 57 is visible to the people in the boat from the water surface (can be seen). Thus, for example, the surface 57 can be used as a location for placing logos or other branding marks M. FIG. In addition, the surface 57 can be used as a reflective element, as a marker for light or identification (such as port numbers for a series of ports, etc.). The surfaces 54 define a lamp leading into the pedestal 32. In fact, the surfaces 54 include an outer portion 54a and an inner portion 54b. The inner or side slope of the inner portion 54b is larger than the inner or side slope of the outer portion 54a, and the inner portions 54b are separated by the passage 58. The passage 58 extends forward from the back edge of the entry area substantially the length of the entry area.

One cut-out 60 (FIG. 6) is formed in the rear edge 28 of the port entry member. The cutout 60 is generally centered with respect to the width of the rear edge, the port entry area 37 and the entry passage 58. Inclined surfaces 62 are formed on opposite sides of the cutout 60. Mandrel receiving grooves 64 are formed in the surfaces. A roller 66 (FIG. 4) is mounted in the cutout 60. A mandrel 68 extends through the roller 66 and is received in the mandrel receiving grooves 64. One plate 70 covers the grooves 64 so that the mandrel is retained in the grooves (and thus the roller 66 is retained in the cutout 60). In one exemplary embodiment, the roller 66 has a diameter that is varied such that the diameter of the roller is reduced from the outer end of the roller toward the center. At its center, the roller 66 includes a groove 66a that effectively separates the roller 66 into left and right hemispheres. The length and rear slopes of the walls 54 of the entry area 37 indicate that the roller 66 is water level when the port member 20 is empty (ie, there is no ship on the port member). Or beneath it. The rear end of the entry area (ie, because the edge 28 of the port member is at or below the water surface, and because the roller 66 is at or below the water surface, the port member 20 is above the port member 20). It is easier to drive the PWC.

Another roller socket 70 (FIG. 6) is located at the connection point of the entry area 37 and the pedestal 36. The roller socket 70 is centrally located with respect to the width of the port member 20 and the pedestal and entry area passages 38 and 58, respectively. The roller socket 70 is generally rectangular in plane. One shoulder 72 (FIG. 6A) is formed on opposite sides of the socket; And the mandrel receiving groove 74 is formed in each shoulder. The socket 70 also includes a drain hole 76. A roller 77 (FIG. 2) on a mandrel is mounted in the socket 70. The roller is held in place by a plate 80 which is secured to the pocket shoulders 72. The roller 77 is substantially the same as the roller 66 and will therefore not be described any further.

The side walls 24 and the front end wall 26 of the port member 20 comprise a plurality of passages 82, which passages are generally perpendicular to the height of the side walls 24 of the port. When two port members 20 are connected side-to-side (side by side) or when the port member 20 is adjacent to the dock member, the passage of the adjacent members ( 82) will generally be aligned. Thus, the passages 82 may form drains between adjacent members to allow water to flow off the surface of the port member 20.

Each sidewall 24 also includes a hand hold area 84 (FIG. 1). The hand grip regions 84 are defined by generally trapezoidal recesses in the sidewalls 24. As shown, one hand holding region 84 is formed near the front of the port member and the second is formed near the front end of the port member cradle section. The hand holding regions 84 provide an area for people to lift the port member when the port member is installed in or removed from the water. One hole 86 is formed on each hand holding area 84. The holes 86 provide a place for a cleat to be attached to the port member 20. At the place of the rope hanger, a rope or rope loop may also be tied to one or more of the holes 86 of the port member 20. If a rope or loop is to be secured to the port member, then the rope is passed through the hole 86 and knots are formed in the rope on opposite sides of the hole.

Finally, the sidewalls 24 and the front wall 26 include connector sockets 88. The connector sockets accommodate connectors 90, two of which are shown in FIG. The connector 90 is formed complementary to the connector socket (88). The connector sockets and the connectors may be substantially the same as shown and described in US Pat. No. 5,027,55, or as shown and described in US Pat. The description of the above connectors from both of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. In general, the connector comprises a pair of bulbous ends connected to each other by a narrower section. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector generally has the shape of a "dog bone". However, the connector ends can be of any other desired shape as long as the connectors can resist pulling horizontally out of the connector socket 88. The connector may be a single piece as shown in the aforementioned US Pat. No. 7,724,608, or the connector may, as shown in FIG. 5, have an upper end 90a and a lower end (connected by a rod 90c). 90b). In this latter case, the connector socket may comprise upper and lower socket portions 88a, b connected by a passage 88c. Separate connector sockets 88 are located at the rear end of the port member 20 to the rear of the rear hand grip region 84 and at the center of the front wall. These connector sockets only have sockets at the bottom of the port and are therefore not used to connect two port members to each other or to connect the port member to the dock member. Rather, these connector sockets are provided to secure accessories such as covers, canopies, storage boxes, light poles, and the like to the port member 20.

The bottom 30 (Figs. 7 and 8) of the port member 20 is somewhat similar to the bottom of the port shown and described in US Pat. No. 70,987,2, which is incorporated herein by reference. The bottom 30 includes an extension passage 92 extending substantially along the center of the port bottom 30 in the overall length of the port bottom 30. Cone-shaped indentations 94 spaced at various intervals are formed in the passage 92. A cross-channel 96 extends across and perpendicular to the extension passage 92. The cross passage 96 is substantially shorter than the extension passage 92. A number of laterally extending, generally rectangular recesses 98 are formed on opposite sides of the extension passageway 92. The rectangular recesses 98 are generally located below the roller sockets 40. The recesses have side walls and end walls that are slightly inwardly inclined. In addition, the upper surface 98a is inclined from the inner end to the outer end so that the end wall of the recess near the passage 92 is the end wall of the recess near the port side wall 24. Make it shorter than A pair of longitudinally extending, generally rectangular recesses 100a, b are located below the deck surface 34 of the port. The recesses 100a and b are generally similar except that the recess 100b (which is anterior or recess 100a) is longer than the recess 100a. The recesses 100a, b have generally vertical end walls, but the sidewalls are slightly inwardly inclined so that opposite sidewalls of the recesses 100a, b are at the top of the recess than at the bottom of the recess. Keep close to each other. The recesses 100a and b include a plurality of passages 102 extending across the upper surface 102a of the recesses 100a and b. The passageways 102 are substantially evenly spaced and extend between the sidewalls of the recesses. The tops of the passages 102 contact or slightly space down the top surface 22 of the port member 20, thus providing some support for the port top surface 22. A separate pair of generally rectangular recesses 104 extending in the longitudinal direction are located on opposite sides of the extension passage 92 near the front end of the port member 20. The recesses 104 are generally located below the foremost roller sockets 40 and holes 51 and between the pillar holes 53. A separate pair of laterally rectangular recesses 106 extending laterally is located below the entry area 37. The pot bottom includes ribs or ridges 108a, b that extend individually laterally and longitudinally. The ridges 108a and b form a series of boxes. Some of the boxes enclose single recesses, some enclose multiple recesses and some do not cover any recesses. A series of ridges delineate the extension passage 92 and the cross passage 96.

Finally, the pot bottom 30 includes an inclined wall 110, which leads to the lower surface 112. The inclined wall 110 and the lower surface 112 engage the port side walls 24 and the end edges 28 in the port below the entry area 37 (e.g. as shown in FIG. 6A). To form an enlarged hollow section. This enlarged hollow area is provided for increased buoyancy at the inlet to the port member 20. When the ship is supported in the port member, the motor and thus the heaviest part of the ship is at the rear of the ship, and is thus positioned above or near the entry area 37. Thus, this enlarged hollow area provides increased buoyancy for the heaviest portion of the vessel.

As mentioned above, the port member 20 is hollow, thus floating and capable of supporting the vessel. Several recesses in the bottom surface 30 provide separate stability to the port member to reduce rocking of the port member, for example corresponding to small waves.

The port extension member 220 is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 13. The port extension member 220 is substantially similar to the entry member 20, and thus will not be described in detail. The extension member 220 includes an upper surface 222, side walls 224, a front wall 226, a rear wall 228, and a bottom surface 230. The upper surface 222 includes a pedestal 232 substantially the same as the pedestal 32 of the entry member 20, however, the pedestal 232 of the extension port is the extension member ( 220 and extends out the front and rear walls of the elongate member. Since the pedestal 232 is longer than the pedestal 32, the pedestal 232 includes more roller sockets 240, which are identical to the roller sockets 40. On either side of the pedestal 232, the elongate member 220 includes deck surfaces 234. At the front end of the pedestal, the extension member 220 includes holes 251 and pillar holes 253. The side walls 224 and the front wall 226 are identical in structure to the side walls 24 and the front wall 26 of the port entry member 20, and thus will not be described. As shown the back wall 228 is generally V-shaped. That is, rather than having a straight or flat bottom, as in the front wall, the bottom edges of the rear wall are generally parallel to the upper edges of the rear wall. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the extension bottom is a surface 252 that is separated by a surface 250 that slopes downwards and rearwards and a surface that is sloped downwards and inwards and generally flat surface 254. ) The surfaces 250, 252, and 254 define an enlarged hollow area with the rear surface 228 to further provide buoyancy at the rear of the port extension member 220.

The extension member includes connector sockets 288 at the front wall, the rear wall and the side walls. The connector sockets 288 are the same as the sockets 88 of the entry member 20. Thus, the elongate members can be connected to one another in line or side-to-side or the elongate members can be connected in front of the entry member to form an elongated port assembly.

As mentioned above, the port system includes two partition walls that can be located on the port members 20, 220. The first partition wall is the full-length partition wall 300, and the second partition wall is the smaller partition walls 350, 350 ', 350 ". The full-length partition wall 300 is essentially to be fixed to the port member. Although this may be removed, it is not intended to be removed frequently. However, smaller than half of the partition walls 350, 350 ', 350 "are intended to be removed on a regular basis. . The full partition wall 300 (FIGS. 14-17) includes an upper surface 302, side surfaces 304, front surface 306, rear surface 308, and bottom surface 310. The partition wall covers the two roller sockets 40 of the width equal to the width of the port members 20 and 200 and the front roller socket 240 of the front or entrance member 220 of the entry member 20. have enough length to cover. The upper surface is generally flat and includes a passage 311 extending across the upper surface. The pillar hole 312 extends from the upper surface to the bottom surface. When the pillar holes 312 are positioned on either one of the two port members, the pillar holes 312 are aligned with the pillar holes 53 and 253 of the port entry member or the extension member, respectively, so as to be arranged on the partition wall 300. Is located in. Similarly with respect to the pillar holes 53 and 253, the pillar holes 312 have an upper region 312a and a lower region 312b having a smaller diameter. Thus, a shoulder 312c is formed at the bottom of the upper region 312a. Connector sockets 314 are located in front and sides of the partition wall. The connector sockets 314 are identical in shape to the connector sockets 88 and, when positioned thereon, are vertically aligned with the front and side connector sockets of the entry member 20 or the extension member 220. Is located. Although the partition wall 300 appears to have a generally flat top surface 302, the top surface may be provided in variations such that the surface is not all flat. For example, a storage compartment may be formed on a portion of the upper surface. This storage compartment may appear as a raised area on the upper surface 302.

The back surface 308 has generally vertical wall sections 320 at the outer ends of the partition wall 300. These vertical wall regions have a width substantially equal to the width of the deck surfaces 34, 234 of the entry and extension members 20, 220. The wall regions 320 are generally V, which is limited to a pair of outwardly and downwardly inclined walls 324 which are connected to a generally U-shaped portion 326 which is also inclined downwards. Connected by a V-shaped section 322. Thus, the walls 324 slope in both the vertical and horizontal planes. The inclined shape of the V-shaped area 322 is similar to the shape of the bow of a ship, such as PWC.

The bottom surface 310 of the partition wall 300 is complementarily shaped to the upper surfaces 22 and 222 of the port entry member 20 and the extension members 220. To this end, the bottom surface has substantially horizontal surfaces 330 on the outside, which are sized to overlie the deck surfaces 34 and 234 of the entry member 20 and the extension members 220. Because the deck surfaces 34, 234 are below the outer ends of the pedestal walls 36, 236, the partition wall 300 curves upward from the inner edges of the outer surfaces 330. Or has an inclined surface 332. Surfaces 334 extend diagonally inward and downward from the medial corner of the surfaces 332. The surfaces 334 have a slope and shape that substantially corresponds to the slope and shape of the pedestal walls 36, 236. Inner ends of the inclined surfaces 334 are connected by ribs 336, which ribs are generally complementary to the pedestal passage 38.

In use, the full-length partition wall 300 includes a port member (the entry member 20) together with the front end of the partition wall at the same height as the front ends 26, 226 of the members 20, 220. Or any one of the extension members 220). As mentioned, the bottom surface 330 of the partition wall is shaped to correspond to the upper surface of the port members. Thus, the rib 336 can be received in the pedestal passageway 38, and the surfaces 330 and 334 are generally corresponding surfaces 34, 234 and 36, 236 of the port members 20, 220. Can be placed on the screens. The fit of the partition wall 300 on the port member is such that the alignment of the pillar holes 312 of the partition wall with respect to the pillar holes 53, 253 of the port members 20, 200 and The connector sockets 314 may be aligned with the connector sockets 88 and 288 of the port member. The partition wall 300 is fixed to the port members 20 and 220 by means of connectors 90. If the port member having to be connected to the other port members 20 and 220 is the port member having the partition wall 300 or the port member is to be connected to the dock member, a full connector 90 (ie , The full length dog bone-shaped connector as shown in Figure 1) can be used. If the port member is to be used by itself, then a half connector can be used in turn, and likewise used to connect accessories to the port member or dock members. As mentioned above, the bottom surface 330 of the partition wall 300 lies adjacent to the upper surfaces 22, 222 of the port member. Thus, the roller sockets placed under the partition wall should not have any rollers in them; Alternatively the rollers may interfere with positioning the partition wall on the port member. The bottom surface 330 of the partition wall is provided with grooves for accommodating the rollers covered by the partition wall. This may eliminate the need to remove the rollers in accordance with the installation of the full-length partition wall 300. The rollers proximate to the partition wall can be removed if necessary. In this case, the port may be provided with a cover plate (not shown) that snaps into a place that covers the socket.

An alternative full length partition wall 300 " is shown in Figs. 18A-18E. The main difference between the partition wall 300 (Figs. 14-17) and the partition wall 300 'accommodates the bow of the ship. Is the shape or arrangement of the V-shaped region 322 ', as best shown in Figures 18C and 18D, the vessel bow receiving region 322' is guided into a narrower inner region 322b. One region or an entry area 322a, a curved portion 326 'connects the ends of the inner area 322b, the entry area 322a is a pair of inclined walls. 324a and the inner region 322b is defined by a pair of steeply angled walls 324b. Finally, the inner region walls 324b are the upper region 327a and the lower one. The inner region 327b + is directed more vertically, The upper region 327a is inclined inward from the deck surface of the partition wall 300 '. Finally, one bar 325 is inward of the curved region 326. Extends between the walls of regions 322b. Moreover, as can be seen, the deck surface of the partition wall is provided with a textured surface.

The small partition wall 350 is shown in FIGS. 19 to 24. The partition wall 350 is intended to be easily removed. As mentioned, it is smaller than the full-length partition wall 300 and has a width approximately equal to the width of the pedestals 32 and 232. The partition wall 350 has a generally flat top surface 352, a front surface 354 that slopes backwards and downwards, side edges 356, a rear surface 358, and a bottom surface 360. Holes 361 extend through the partition wall from the top surface 352 to the bottom surface 360. The holes 361 may receive fasteners (such as bolts, screws, etc.) to secure the partition wall 350 to the port members 20, 220 if desired.

One handle member 362 stands up from the upper surface. The handle member has a width from about half of the front to back of the front-to-back width of the partition wall upper surface at its base. The front surface of the handle member has a generally upper portion of the vertical portion 364a and lower regions 364b that are curved to conform to the upper surface 352 of the partition wall. The rear surface of the handle member forms part of the rear surface 358 of the partition wall. The handle member / partition wall back surface 358 curves inwardly from its outer edges and downwardly and rearwardly from its upper edges. To this end, the surface 358 is similar to the shape of the ship's bow, such as PWC, to accommodate the PWC bow. As shown in FIG. 27A, the rear surface can be significantly narrowed to allow the rear surface to fit between the roller sockets 40 of the port members at the bottom of the rear surface. In this embodiment, the posterior surface forms a tongue extending essentially posteriorly. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 22, the rear surface 358 which accommodates the vessel bow need not be quite long and is approximately midway between the foremost rollers of the port members 20, 220. It can extend to the point of. At its upper end, the handle member 362 includes a hole 370. The hole 370 is located on the handle member and is sized to allow a user to grip the handle member and to lift the partition wall.

Arced cutouts 372 are formed in the side edges 356. The width of the partition wall 350 allows it to cover the pillar holes 53, 353 of the port members. Accordingly, the cutouts 372 may be positioned to be aligned with the pillar holes 53 and 253 of the port member so that the pillar holes are not covered by the partition wall 350. In addition, the cutouts 372 can join the pillars passing through the pillar holes, and the engagement of the partition wall with the pillar holes allows the partition wall to be held in place on the port member. To help.

Similar to the bottom surface of the partition wall 300. The bottom surface 360 is shaped to complement each other on the pedestals 32 and 232 of the port members 20 and 220. The bottom surface includes a small flat surface 374 lying on top of the deck surfaces 34, 234. Most of the bottom surface is defined by surfaces 376 which are inclined inward and downward. As with the partition wall 300, the small partition wall includes a rib 378 at its center, which is complementarily shaped in the pedestal passage 38 of the port member, which is the partition wall. The wall is received in the pedestal passage when it is located on the port members 20, 220. The inclined surfaces have a slope approximately equal to that of the pedestal surfaces 36, 236. In order to facilitate positioning of the partition wall 350 on the port member, the partition wall extends downwardly from the inclined surface 376 and the openings of the port members 20 and 220. And a pair of pillars 380 positioned, sized and shaped to be received within 51, 251. The pillars 380 are generally similar in shape to the holes 51 and 251 of the port member. Both the pillars 380 and the holes 51, 251 appear generally circular in plane. However, the pillars 380 may have other shapes (squares, triangles, polygons, if necessary) as long as the pillars 380 can be accommodated in the holes 51, 251 of the members 20, 220. Etc.). In addition, the partition wall is of a complementary size and shape to the roller pockets 40 and is positioned to align with the roller pockets 40 when the partition wall 350 is positioned on the port member. Recesses 381 are included in the inclined surfaces 376. The recesses 381 have a curved surface similar to the curved surfaces of the roller sockets 40 so that the upper portion of the roller 50 is the recessed portion when the partition wall 350 is positioned on the port member. 381). Thus, positioning the partition wall 350 on the port member does not require that the rollers 50 be removed from the port member. Rather, when the partition wall 350 is located on the port member, the rollers 50 in the foremost sockets 40 may be enclosed by recesses 381 of the partition wall. As mentioned above, the full length partition wall 300 may be provided for similar recesses. The joining of the pillars 381 to the holes 51, 251 and the cutouts 372 to the support columns is why the partition wall 350 has the port as described below. To be more easily removed from the member. In order to prevent the partition wall from being inadvertently lost, the partition wall may be tied to the port member. For example, a rope may extend through one of the holes 370 of the handle or one of the corner holes 361 of the partition wall 350 at one end of the rope, and the rope at the other end of the rope One of the hand holding regions 84 may extend through the hole 86.

Another embodiment of the small partition wall is shown in FIGS. 25A-25C. The partition wall 350 'is substantially the same as the partition wall 350. However, it is narrower (from front to rear), so that the upper flat surface 352 'does not extend forward of the handle region 362'. Thus, the front of the partition wall 350 'is generally vertical and defined by the front surface 364' of the handle and the front 354 'of the body of the partition wall. The width from the front to the rear of the partition wall 350 'is such that the partition wall 350' does not cover any of the rollers 50 of the port members 20 and 220. Thus, the inclined surface 376 'of the bottom surface 360' does not include cavities such as a roller receiving cavity 381 of the partition wall 350 or the like. Since the partition wall 350 'is smaller than the partition wall 350, it will be lighter and therefore difficult to remove from the port members 20, 220 during normal use of the port members 20, 220. It may be easier.

The small partition walls 350, 350 ′ are generally identical except for the length from their front to back as mentioned. The length from the front to the rear may be changed so that the length of the partition wall is between the lengths between the two partition walls 350 and 350 '. In this case, the partition wall may have some flat surface in front of the handle areas 362, 362 ′, but this flat surface is as long as the surface 352 of the partition wall 350. May not.

Another alternative small partition wall 350 " is shown in Figs. 26A to 26B. The partition wall 350 " is in size between the partition wall 350 and the partition wall 350 ', and the small partition is It has commonalities with both walls 350 and 350 '. The partition wall 350 "has a length from the front to the back which is the same as the length from the front to the rear of the small partition wall 350. Accordingly, the partition wall 350" is a port member 20, 220 ), The partition wall 350 "will cover the foremost rollers on the port member. Thus, similar to the partition wall 350, the bottom 360 " Pockets 381 " are provided that are positioned to align with the roller pockets 40, 240 of 220. In view of this commonality, the bottom 360 " of the partition wall 350 " Same as the bottom 360 of the partition wall 350. This can be seen in the comparison of Figures 26B and 23. Similar to the partition wall 350 ', the partition wall 350 "is a flat front surface. (364 ") and essentially from the rear edge of the partition wall to the length of the partition wall Has a rear surface (358 ") that chapter. As can be seen in the comparison of FIGS. 26A and 25B, the partition wall back surface 358 ″ has a longer and lower slope. In fact, the partition wall back surface 358 ″ is a lower region 358a. And the upper region 358b. The lower region 358a has a steeper slope than the upper region 358a, and in fact, the slope of the lower region 358a generally corresponds to the slope of the rear surface of the partition wall 350. The shallower rear surface 358 "defines a longer bowing area for the partition wall. This allows the partition wall to accommodate more vessels. Similar to the partition wall 350 '. The partition wall 350 ″ is narrower than the partition wall 350. Thus, the partition wall 350 "does not require cutouts on the sides to accommodate the piers. This means that the partition wall 350" is located on the port members 20 and 220. And also makes it somewhat easier to remove from it. However, with reduced side-to-side width, the partition wall 350 "has outwardly extending protrusions that receive pockets 381" as shown in FIG. 26B.

As mentioned above, the use of the two types of port members (entry member 20 and extension member 220) allows the watercraft ports to be arranged in various ways. 27A to 27B illustrate the entry members 20 and the extension members 220 connected in a line. The extension member 220 is provided with a full length partition wall 300 and the entry member 20 is provided with a small partition wall 350 ". This arrangement allows two vessels to line up on a line of port assemblies. The small partition wall 350 " can be lifted out of the path to allow a first vessel (or forward vessel) to rise (or advance) onto the port assembly. Thereby allowing the vessel to be driven onto the row of ports into the forward position. Subsequently, the small partition wall can be positioned on the entry member 20, and a second vessel (or rear vessel) can be driven onto the port. When the small partition wall is tied to the port entry member 20, then, when the vessel is lowered from the port assembly, the small partition wall floats in water so that the partition wall is not lost. do. Although this arrangement represents one extension member 220, it will be understood that two, three or more extension members can be connected in line with the entry member 20 to create a port assembly of desired length. It can be.

In other arrangements, the entry member may be used alone with the small partition wall 350 '(FIG. 28A) or the full length partition wall 300 (FIG. 28B). In the arrangement shown in Figures 27A-27B (and Figure 28D), the full-length partition wall in the member 220 may be replaced by a small partition wall as shown in Figure 28C. Two entry members 20 together without head, with one small partition, with two small partitions (FIG. 28E), or with two full length partitions (FIG. 28F), head-to-head Can be connected. If two entry members are connected together head-to-head without partition walls or with only one small partition wall, the arrangement may allow the vessel to be driven onto the port assembly and continue forward. Direction in the port assembly. This may be advantageous for the maintenance of the vessel. 28A-28E, the port assemblies are shown by themselves. The port assemblies shown in FIGS. 28A-28E use the small partition wall 350 'when small partition walls are used. Any of the other small partition walls 350 and 350 "may also be used. However, the partition wall 350 'allows the two partition walls to be positioned adjacent to each other, as shown in Figure 28E. It further has the advantage. The two small partition walls 350 "can also be placed face-to-face in the same way.

29A-29D, the port assemblies are shown connected to or in part of a port configuration. 29A-29D, when the port members are connected head-to-head and the full partition wall 300 is provided, the upper surface of the partition wall 300 is part of the dock surface. To allow access to the ports. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 29D, a gangway to the dock assembly is connected to the electrical barrier wall rather than to the dock member of the assembly.

Since various changes can be made in the above configurations without departing from the scope of the invention, all components included in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and restrictive in nature. It is not intended to be followed. For example, although the port system is described as being used for PWCs, it can be used for other vessels as well. The small partition wall 350 may be smaller so that the partition wall 350 does not extend to the full width of the pedestal of the port. In this case, the partition wall 350 may cover only some of the rollers of the pair of rollers. Further, depending on the position of the partition wall relative to the port member and the position of the rollers relative to the port member, the partition wall 350 may not cover any rollers.

Claims (36)

Upper surface, bottom surface, side surfaces, front surface, and rear surface; A pedestal formed in at least a portion of the front surface and defined by a pair of opposed inwardly inclined walls; A plurality of roller sockets located along the walls of the pedestal and rollers received within the roller sockets; And a separate partition wall mountable on the port. The method of claim 1,
And a pedestal passage extending along the center of the pedestal, wherein the pedestal passage is located between the inclined walls. The method of claim 1,
An entrance area at the rear end of the port, the entrance area including a ramp inclined rearward from the rear end of the pedestal, the lamp being at or below the level when the port is suspended in water; Floating ship port, characterized in that having a rear end defining the inlet to the entrance area. The method of claim 3, wherein
The lamp is defined by a pair of lamp walls that are inclined inward toward a center in the longitudinal direction of the lamp; Each of the lamp walls includes an outer region and an inner region; And the inner region has a larger slope than the outer region. The method of claim 3, wherein
A second roller socket at the rear end of the entry area and at the front end of the upper portion of the entry area; The port includes second rollers mounted in the cutout and the second roller socket; And the cutout and second roller sockets are positioned substantially centrally between the sides of the port. The method of claim 5, wherein
And the roller mounted in the cutout is positioned at or below the port when the port floats in water. The method of claim 1,
The pedestal extends to the full length of the port; And the pedestal is opened at the front end and the rear end of the port. The method of claim 1,
The partition wall is a full-length partition wall; The partition wall extends substantially the width of the port member; The partition wall comprises an upper surface, a front surface, a rear surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface; And the bottom surface is substantially complementary to the upper surface of the port such that the partition wall lies on the upper surface of the port. The method of claim 8,
The port includes a deck surface extending along opposite sides of the pedestal; And the partition wall bottom surface comprises flat surfaces having a width approximately equal to the width of the port deck surfaces and having inwardly inclined surfaces corresponding to the pedestal walls of the port. The method of claim 9,
The pedestal includes a passageway extending substantially the length of the pedestal; A pedestal passage extends between the inclined surfaces of the partition wall; A floating ship port, wherein ribs are formed complementary to said pedestal passage. The method of claim 8,
The bow receiving area comprises a bow receiving area including a bow receiving area comprising a pair of outwardly and downwardly inclined walls connected by a generally U-shaped part in which the rear surface of the partition wall is inclined downward; Floating ship port, characterized in that to be similar to the form of. The method of claim 1,
And the partition wall is removably mounted to the port. The method of claim 12,
The port comprises at least one hole in the upper surface close to the front end of the port; The partition wall comprises an upper surface, a front surface, side surfaces, a rear surface and a bottom surface; The bottom surface is complementarily shaped to the upper surface of the port pedestal; The rear surface includes a ship bow receiving area; The bow receiving area is shaped to be similar to the bow of the ship; The partition wall further comprises at least one pillar extending downward from the bottom surface; And the column of the partition wall has a size and a position to be accommodated in the hole of the upper surface of the port. The method of claim 12,
The partition wall has a length such that the partition wall covers at least some of the rollers of the pair of rollers; The partition wall includes recesses in a lower surface of the partition wall; Said recesses being positioned to align with said rollers when said partition wall is placed on said port and sized to receive said rollers. The method of claim 12,
And said partition wall comprises a handle on said upper surface. The method of claim 15,
And a flat top surface of said partition wall extending forward of said handle. The method of claim 15,
The front surface of the handle is flush with the front surface of the partition wall; And the front surface of the handle and the partition wall together define a front end of the partition wall that is substantially vertical. The method of claim 12,
And a rope for securing said partition wall to said port. A front end, a rear end, sides, a bottom surface and an upper surface, the upper surface including a pedestal defined by a pair of opposing inwardly inclined walls and an entry area, wherein the pedestal comprises At least one entry member open from the front, the entry region extending from the rear of the pedestal behind the entry member, the entry member comprising connector sockets positioned forward with the sides of the entry member;
A front end, a rear end, sides, a bottom surface and an upper surface, the upper surface comprising a pedestal defined by a pair of opposing inwardly inclined walls, the pedestal being the entire length of the elongate member. Extended; At least one extension wherein the pedestal is opened at the front and rear of the extension member and the extension member further comprises connector sockets positioned at at least one or more of the sides, front and rear of the extension member; absence;
At least one partition wall selectively positionable in one or more of said port members; And
Connecting members received in aligned connector sockets of two port members to connect the port members together;
It is made, including
Thereby allowing the entry member, the at least one extension member and the partition walls to be connected together in a line and / or side-to-side to provide a port assembly of the desired combination and arrangement. system. The method of claim 19,
The partition wall is a full-length partition wall; The partition wall extends substantially the width of the port member; The partition wall comprises an upper surface, a front surface, a rear surface, side surfaces and a bottom surface; And the bottom surface is substantially complementary to the top surface of the port such that the partition wall rests on the top surface of the port. The method of claim 20,
The port includes a deck surface extending along opposite sides of the pedestal; The bottom surface of the partition wall having flat surfaces having a width approximately equal to the width of the deck surfaces of the port and inwardly inclined surfaces corresponding to the walls of the pedestal of the port. system. The method of claim 21,
The pedestal includes a passageway extending substantially the length of the pedestal; A passage of the pedestal extends between the inclined surfaces of the partition wall; A floating ship port system, characterized in that ribs are complementarily shaped in the pedestal passage. The method of claim 20,
The bow receiving area includes a bow receiving area including a bow receiving area including a pair of outwardly and downwardly inclined walls connected by a generally U-shaped portion in which said partition wall rear surface is inclined downward. Floating vessel port system, characterized in that it is similar to. The method of claim 19,
And the partition wall is removably mounted to the port. The method of claim 24,
The port comprises at least one hole in the upper surface near the front end of the port and the partition wall comprises an upper surface, a front surface, side surfaces, a rear surface and a bottom surface; The bottom surface is complementarily shaped to the upper surface of the port pedestal; The rear surface includes a ship bow receiving area; The bow receiving area is shaped to resemble a bow of a ship; The partition wall further comprises at least one pillar extending downward from the bottom surface; And the partition wall column is sized and positioned so as to be received into the port upper surface hole. The method of claim 24,
The partition wall is sized such that the partition wall covers at least a pair of rollers; The partition wall includes recesses in the partition wall lower surface; The recesses are positioned to align with the rollers and have dimensions to accommodate the rollers when the partition wall is located on the port. The method of claim 24,
And said partition wall comprises a handle on said upper surface. The method of claim 24,
And a rope for securing said partition wall to said port. Upper surface, bottom surface, side surfaces, front surface, and rear surface;
A pedestal defined by a pair of opposing inwardly inclined walls, the pedestal being formed in at least a portion of the upper surface;
A plurality of pedestal roller sockets positioned along the pedestal walls and rollers received within the roller sockets;
A ramp inclined rearward from the rear end of the pedestal, the lamp having an inlet located at or below the entry zone when the port is suspended in water and when no vessel is present in the port pedestal. An entry area having a defining rear end;
Floating ship port characterized in that consisting of. The method of claim 29,
The lamp is defined by a pair of lamp walls that are inclined inward toward a center in the longitudinal direction of the lamp, each of the lamp walls including an outer region and an inner region; And the inner region has a greater inclination than the outer region. The method of claim 29,
A cutout at the rear end of the entry area and rear rollers mounted in the cutout; And the rear roller is positioned at or below the port when the port is floating in water and when the vessel is not present in the port pedestal. The method of claim 31, wherein
A lampholder at the front end of the upper portion of the entry area; And a ramp roller mounted on the ramp roller socket. Upper surface, bottom surface, side surfaces, front surface, and rear surface;
A pedestal formed in at least a portion of the upper surface, defined by a pair of opposing inwardly inclined walls;
A plurality of pedestal roller sockets positioned along the pedestal walls and rollers received in the pedestal roller sockets;
A ramp inclined rearward from the rear end of the pedestal, the lamp being defined by a pair of inwardly inclined surfaces, the port further comprising at least one mark surface, the at least one mark The surface includes an entry area into the rear end of the port inclined downwardly and rearward from the outer edges of the inclined surfaces of the lamp such that the marker surface is visible when the port is viewed from the side and rear;
Floating ship port characterized in that consisting of. The method of claim 33, wherein
And a marking for identification on said marking surface. The method of claim 33, wherein
A floating ship port, characterized in that it comprises a visibility enhancer on the mark surface. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein
And the visibility enhancer comprises light reflecting elements or light emitting elements.

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